System, method and apparatus for gift bag binding

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for adjustably binding a plurality of gift bags together, including a binding member, which has a length substantially longer than the body diameter of the largest of said plurality of gift bags being bound. The binding member includes a head end, an opposed tail, and an elongated body portion with two longitudinal edges. The head end, and a tail portion of said binding member have corresponding engagement apparatus disposed thereon to demountably fix the binding members head end to the tail portion. The binding device also includes a plurality of engaging members are spacedly formed along two longitudinal edges of the elongated body defining a plurality of sets of corresponding engaging steps on the binding member. Each of the engaging steps has a guiding edge and a locking edge inwardly and inclinedly extended from the respective longitudinal edge of the body portion of the binding member. The engaging steps of the binding member are disposed to engage at least one strap of a first gift bag of the plurality of gift bags and secure the first gift bag to a second overlapping gift bag of the plurality of gift bags engaged on a second step of the binding member. The engaging steps are disposed to orient the first and second gift bags to expose a portion of the body surface of the first gift bag and second overlapping gift bag.

I. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an improvement in gift bag packaging andparticularly to binding and packaging gift bags for storage, display andtransport.

II. DESCRIPTION OF THE TECHNICAL FIELD

In recent years, there has been a tremendous growth in the manufactureand sale of containers, particularly decorative containers for receivingand holding objects, such as gift objects. One form of such containersis a decorative bag that is adapted to receive a gift item, whicheliminates the need to place the items in separate boxes that areusually subsequently wrapped with gift wrapping paper. Instead, giftitems may be “wrapped” in the bag and hidden from view using such itemsas tissue paper, confetti, bag stuffing, shredded ribbons, and the like.

As these gift items are of varying sizes the decorative gift bags usedto house these items are also of varying sizes. Typically thesedecorative or gift bags have ornamental designs on their surfacecontaining indicia relating to a season, event or in some way relevantand/or endearing to the intended recipient of the gift. If decorativebags are sold or displayed as a unit, due to the varying sizes of thesebags, it is difficult to package the bags in such a way that a pluralityof varying size gift bags are securely bound and the ornamental designof a bag overlapping bags are visible to a consumer.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,377,013 issued to Cheung discloses an adjustable anddetachable binding device that includes an elongated binding member, aplurality of locking holders spacedly and integrally formed along a tailportion of the binding member, and a loop locker integrally formed at ahead portion of the binding member to detachably engage with one of thelocking holders to form a binding loop of the binding member forfittingly binding up an object. The loop locker is shaped and sized thatenables the loop locker to be detachably engaged with the respectivelocking holder, so as to adjust a diameter of the binding loop of thebinding member with respect to the object.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,913,179 issued to Rhee discloses an adjustable, pliabletie strap comprising a series of longitudinal slot means at one end ofthe strap and a tongue portion at the opposite end containing notchmeans. The tongue portion can be inserted in any of the said slots fortying or securing an object.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,878,520 issued to Milbrandt, et al. discloses anadvertising band for quick and easy locking, unlocking and re-lockingabout merchandise is a flexible strip having a lead end section, a bodysection, and a tail end section. The lead end section is equipped with alock aperture having a maximum dimension in the longitudinal directionand a minimum dimension transverse thereto. The body section has asubstantial length and transverse width for displaying advertisinginformation. Its length is at least as great as the combined length ofboth the lead and the tail end sections. The tail end section haslaterally paired locking members separated by neck members along itslength. It is easily pulled through the aperture to lock any pair of thelocking members against the minimum dimension edges of the aperture andyet is easily and quickly unlocked from the aperture by aligning itslocking members with the maximum dimension of the aperture and pullingit free from the aperture.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,045,263 issued to Keller, et al. discloses a giftpackage that comprises a bag having generally parallel front and rearwalls, each having a top edge, a bottom edge, and two lateral edges, apair of generally parallel side walls, each having a top edge, a bottomedge, and two lateral edges, wherein the lateral edges of the front andrear walls are joined to the lateral edges of the side panels, and abottom panel having two pairs of generally parallel lateral edges,wherein the lateral edges of the bottom panel are joined to the bottomedges of the front, rear, and side walls to form a container having anopening defined by the top edges of the front, rear, and side walls, andwherein the bag has an expanded state and a collapsed state, where anarea of the bag opening is larger when the bag is in its expanded statethan when the bag is in its collapsed state. The gift bag furthercomprises a bag topper comprising a resilient member having a length anda width, wherein the resilient member has a relaxed state and acompressed state, wherein the bag topper in the compressed state issmaller in at least one of the length and width than when the bag topperis in the relaxed state, so that the bag topper urges the opening of thebag toward the expanded state of the bag as the bag topper moves fromthe compressed state of the bag topper to the relaxed state of the bagtopper.

III. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide means to efficientlybind and store a plurality of decorative gift bags.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a means tobind, package and display a plurality of gift bags of differing sizeswhere at least one of each size gift bag is visible in the display.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus for binding and packaging a plurality of gift bags of varyingsize for transport in an efficient self contained package.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus for binding and packaging a plurality of gift bags that doesnot obstruct a design, logo or ornamental indicia incorporated on theouter surface of the gift bag.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatusthat allows the efficient packaging of a plurality of bound gift bags ofvarying size in a package no larger than the area defined by the largestgift bag of the plurality.

It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus for binding and packaging a plurality of gift bags that isadjustable for different sized and/or different quantities of gift bags.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus for binding a plurality of gift bags wherein the bindingapparatus facilitates easily and efficient use in a retail display.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus for binding a plurality of gift bags wherein the structure ofthe binding apparatus does not impede a shopper's view of the ornamentalfeatures of the bound collection of bags.

These and other objects of the invention are achieved in part by thedisclosed adjustable binding device for attaching a plurality ofdecorative or gift bags together including a binding member, which has alength substantially longer than the body diameter of the largest ofsaid plurality of gift bags being bound. The binding member includes ahead end, an opposed tail, and an elongated body portion with twolongitudinal edges. The head end, and a tail portion of the bindingmember include corresponding engagement apparatus disposed thereon todemountably fix the binding member's head end to the tail portion. Aplurality of engaging members are spacedly formed along two longitudinaledges of the elongated body defining a plurality of corresponding setsof engaging steps on the binding member. Each of the engaging steps hasa guiding edge and a locking edge inwardly and inclinedly extended fromthe respective longitudinal edge of the body portion of the bindingmember. The engaging steps of the binding member are disposed to engageat least one strap of a first gift bag of a plurality of gift bags andsecure the first gift bag to a second overlapping gift bag of theplurality of gift bags engaged on a second step of said binding member.The engaging steps are disposed to orient the first and second gift bagsto expose a portion of the body surface of the first gift bag and secondoverlapping gift bag.

Still other objects of the invention are achieved by the disclosedmethod for securing a plurality of gift bags having handles thereon forstorage and display, including the steps of providing a binding memberhaving a head end, an opposed tail, and an elongated body portion withtwo longitudinal edges; the head end, and a tail portion of said bindingmember having corresponding engagement apparatus disposed thereon todemountably fix the binding members head end to the tail portion. Thebinding member preferably has a plurality of engaging members spacedlyformed along two longitudinal edges of said elongated body to define aplurality of sets of corresponding engaging steps on the binding member.Each of said engaging steps has a guiding edge and a locking edgeinwardly and inclinedly extended from the respective longitudinal edgeof the body portion of the binding member. The method also includesproviding a plurality of gift bags, each of the gift bags having ahandle portion attached to and a sack portion, defining a void in thespace between the handle portion and sack portion, and inserting thebinding member head through the void between the handle and the sack ofa first bag of the plurality of gift bags.

The method also includes the step of engaging the handle of the firstgift bag of the plurality of bags with a pair of engaging steps definedon the binding member positionally affixing the first gift bag on theelongated body.

The method also includes the step of inserting the binding member headthrough the void between the handle and the sack of at least a secondbag of the plurality of gift bags and engaging the handle of at least asecond gift bag of the plurality of gift bags with a pair of engagingsteps defined on the binding member positionally affixing at least asecond gift bag on the elongated body. The method also includes the stepof wrapping the elongated body around the sack portion of each of theplurality of bags disposed in a stack, and engaging the correspondingengagement apparatus disposed on the head and tail portion of thebinding member to demountably fix the binding members head end to thetail portion. As a result the first and at least a second bag is boundto the binding strip and suspended on pairs of engaging steps orientingthe first and at least a second gift bag to expose a portion of the bodysurface of each gift bag.

For definitional purposes and as applicable the term “gift bag” as usedherein is intended to mean any decorative bag, container, pouch and thelike whether constructed of paper, plastic nylon or fabric having a sackportion and at least one strap, string, fabric, synthetic or paperhandle disposed on said sack portion to facilitate carrying said bag.

As used herein “connected” includes physical, whether direct orindirect, permanently affixed or adjustably mounted. Thus, unlessspecified, “connected” is intended to embrace any operationallyfunctional connection.

As used herein “substantially,” “generally,” and other words of degreeare relative modifiers intended to indicate permissible variation fromthe characteristic so modified. It is not intended to be limited to theabsolute value or characteristic which it modifies but rather possessingmore of the physical or functional characteristic than its opposite, andpreferably, approaching or approximating such a physical or functionalcharacteristic.

In the following description, reference is made to the accompanyingdrawings which are shown by way of illustration to the specificembodiments in which the invention may be practiced. The followingillustrated embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enablethose skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to beunderstood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structuralchanges based on presently known structural and/or functionalequivalents may be made without departing from the scope of theinvention.

IV. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates the front view of an embodiment of the gift bagbinding having a plurality of triangular shaped engaging steps forengaging gift bags.

FIG. 2 illustrates the rear view of the embodiment of the gift bagbinding in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates the gift bag binding apparatus engaged and binding aplurality of decorative gift bags of varying sizes.

FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of another embodiment of the gift bagbinding apparatus.

FIG. 5 illustrates a close up view of the engaging steps of the gift bagbinding embodiment in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the gift bag binding apparatushaving a plurality of rectangular shaped steps for engaging gift bags.

V. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the figures, wherein like reference numbers denote likecomponents, elements, or features through the various illustratedembodiments discussed in detail below, the invention is an apparatus,system and method for the binding of a plurality of gift bags or thelike for display, transportation, or storage. While specificimplementations of the disclosed technology are discussed, it should beunderstood that this is done for illustration purposes only. A personskilled in the relevant art will recognize that other components andconfigurations may be used without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention.

Turning now to the figures wherein like reference numbers denote likeelements, FIG. 1 illustrates the front view of an embodiment of the giftbag binding having a plurality of triangular shaped steps for engaginggift bags. As illustrated in the figure, this embodiment of theinventive binding includes an adjustable binding 100 for attaching aplurality of gift bags together including a binding member 101, whichhas a length substantially longer than the body diameter of the largestof the plurality of gift bags being bound. Referring now to FIG. 2,illustrating the rear view, and with continued reference to FIG. 1, thebinding member 101 has a head end 120, an opposed tail, 130 and anelongated body portion 110 with two longitudinal edges 111.

The head end 120, and a tail portion 130 of the binding member 101 havecorresponding engagement apparatus disposed thereon 125, 135. Theengagement apparatus 125, 135 disposed on the head end 120 and tailportion 130 are typically configured to demountably affix the bindingmember's head end 120 to the tail portion 130. The engagement apparatusmay be in the form or Velcro, corresponding hook and loop, hook andslot, or other cooperating engagement apparatus known in the art. Asshown in FIG. 2, the engagement apparatus of the embodiment shownfeatures a hook 135 and a plurality of corresponding grooves or slots125 sized and disposed to receive and engage the hook 135 and bind thehead end 120 to the tail portion 130. The plurality of correspondingslots 125, are disposed at intervals on the head end 120 of the bindingmember 101 and facilitate adjustment of the size of the binding 100 toallow use with different sizes, and/or numbers of gift bags.

A plurality of engaging members 104 are spacedly formed along twolongitudinal edges 111 of the elongated body 110 and define a pluralityof sets of corresponding engaging steps 105 on the binding member. FIG.5 illustrates a close up view of the engaging members 104 disposed onthe longitudinal edges 111 of the body 110.

As illustrated in FIG. 5 with continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, eachof the engaging members 104 has a (supporting) locking edge 106extending horizontally out from the elongated body 110, and a guidingedge 115 inwardly extended from the respective longitudinal 111 edge ofthe body portion 110 of the binding member 101.

Referring now to FIG. 3, with continued reference to FIG. 1, theengaging steps 105 of the binding member 101 are sized and disposed toengage one or more straps 333 of a first gift bag 330 of the pluralityof gift bags, and secures the first gift bag 330 to a second overlappinggift bag 350 of the plurality of gift bags on the binding member 101.The second overlapping gift bag 350 is engaged to a second step 105′ ofthe binding member 101. The engaging steps 105 are typically sized anddisposed to orient the first and second gift bags 330, 350 to expose aportion of the body surface of the first gift bag 330 and a portion ofthe body surface of the second overlapping gift bag 350.

A plurality of engaging steps are typically disposed at intervals alongthe elongated body 110 of the binding member 101 to accommodate severalbag sizes. The intervals between the steps may be consistent or they mayfeature different spacing. In addition, the plurality of sets ofcorresponding engaging steps disposed on the body 110 of the bindingmember 100 may be of identical or differing sizes to further accommodatedifferent sizes and different quantities of gift bags.

The guiding edge 115 of the engaging step 105 is preferably inclinedlyextended from the respective longitudinal edge 111 of the body portion110 of the binding member 101, however in other embodiments the guidingedge may be extended without a substantial inclined edge. Embodimentssuch as the one shown in FIG. 1 feature a gradually inclined edge. Thegradual incline provides for positive seating and retention of each giftbag bound by the binding member. The positive seating retains or holdsone or more gift bags in place on the binding.

FIG. 4 illustrates yet another embodiment of the gift bag bindingapparatus. The embodiment of FIG. 4 features a guiding edge 115 of theengaging step 105 that is inclinedly extended from the respectivelongitudinal edge 111 of the body portion 110 of the binding member 101at a greater angle than the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. This featureprovides for a greater longer longitudinal edge 111 area and allows thebag binding to hold a greater number of gift bags and also allows thebags to be held in a looser configuration. An embodiment in which theguiding edge does not feature a substantially inclined edge in relationto the elongated body 110 is shown in FIG. 6.

Preferably the binding member 101 is constructed of a semi-rigid orflexible material. The binding member is preferably constructed of atransparent material, providing a largely unobstructed view of the bagsthat are bound therewith. The binding member's engagement apparatus mayinclude Velcro, a tongue and a corresponding groove, adhesives or otherengagement means. The corresponding engagement apparatus may disposed oneither the head or the tail, or both and provide means to adjust thecircumference of the binding to adjust and tailor the binding to engagegift bags of varying quantities, sizes and shapes.

Other embodiments of the invention disclose a method for securing aplurality of gift bags having handles thereon for storage and display.The method includes the steps of providing a binding member having ahead end, an opposed tail, and an elongated body portion with twolongitudinal edges. The head end, and a tail portion of the bindingmember having corresponding engagement apparatus disposed thereon todemountably fix the binding members head end to the tail portion. Thebinding member includes a plurality of engaging members spacedly formedalong two longitudinal edges of the elongated body, defining a pluralityof sets of corresponding engaging steps on the binding member. Each ofthe engaging steps has a locking edge and a guiding edge inwardlyextended from said respective longitudinal edge of said body portion ofsaid binding member.

The method also includes inserting the binding member head through thevoid between the handle and the sack of a first bag of the plurality ofgift bags and engaging the handle of the first gift bag of the pluralityof bags with a pair of engaging steps defined on the binding memberpositionally affixing the first gift bag on the elongated body.

The method also includes the step of inserting said binding member headthrough the void between the handle and the sack of at least a secondbag of the plurality of gift bags and engaging the handle of at least asecond gift bag of the plurality of gift bags with a pair of engagingsteps defined on the binding member positionally affixing at least asecond gift bag on the elongated body.

The methods further includes wrapping the elongated body around the sackportion of each of the plurality of bags disposed in a stack andengaging the corresponding engagement apparatus disposed on the head andtail portion of the binding member to demountably fix the bindingmember's head end to the tail portion. The first and at least a secondbag are bound to the binding strip and suspended on pairs of engagingsteps orienting the first and at least a second gift bag to expose aportion of the body surface of each gift bag. In yet another embodimentthe method also includes the step of inserting said binding member headthrough the void defined between the handle portion and the sack portionof a plurality of gift bags of different sizes and hanging the securedplurality of gift bags for display and adjusting the size of the bindingmember by changing the groove engaged by the corresponding tongue.

Although specific example embodiments have been illustrated anddescribed herein, those of ordinary skill in the art appreciate thatother variations, aspects, or embodiments may be contemplated, and/orpracticed without departing from the scope or the spirit of the appendedclaims, for example the disclosed apparatus may be used to organize andbind a plurality of shopping bags for display, storage or transport.

1. An adjustable binding device for attaching a plurality of gift bagstogether comprising: a binding member, which has a length substantiallylonger than the body diameter of the largest of said plurality of giftbags being bound, said binding member having a head end, an opposedtail, and an elongated body portion with two longitudinal edges; saidhead end, and a tail portion of said binding member having correspondingengagement apparatus disposed thereon to demountably fix said bindingmembers head end to the tail portion; wherein a plurality of engagingmembers are spacedly formed along two longitudinal edges of saidelongated body to define a plurality of sets of corresponding engagingsteps on said binding member, wherein each of said engaging steps has alocking edge extending horizontally out from said elongated body and aguiding edge inwardly extended from said respective longitudinal edge ofsaid body portion of said binding member; wherein said engaging steps ofsaid binding member are disposed to engage at least one strap of a firstgift bag of said plurality of gift bags and secure said first gift bagto a second overlapping gift bag of the plurality of gift bags engagedon a second step of said binding member, said engaging steps beingdisposed to orient said first and second gift bags to expose a portionof the body surface of said first gift bag and second overlapping giftbag.
 2. The binding device of claim 1 wherein said guiding edge of saidengaging step is inclinedly extended from said respective longitudinaledge of said body portion of said binding member.
 3. The binding deviceof claim 1 wherein said binding device is constructed of a flexiblematerial.
 4. The binding device of claim 1 wherein said binding deviceis constructed of a transparent material.
 5. The binding device of claim1 wherein said binding members engagement apparatus includes a tongueand a corresponding groove disposed on either the head or the tail. 6.The binding device of claim 1 wherein the plurality of sets ofcorresponding engaging steps on said binding member are of differingsizes.
 7. A method for securing a plurality of gift bags having handlesthereon for storage and display, comprising the steps of: providing abinding member having a head end, an opposed tail, and an elongated bodyportion with two longitudinal edges; said head end, and a tail portionof said binding member having corresponding engagement apparatusdisposed thereon to demountably fix said binding members head end to thetail portion, said binding member having a plurality of engaging membersspacedly formed along two longitudinal edges of said elongated body todefine a plurality of sets of corresponding engaging steps on saidbinding member, wherein each of said engaging steps has a locking edgeand a guiding edge inwardly extended from said respective longitudinaledge of said body portion of said binding member; providing a pluralityof gift bags, each said gift bag having a handle portion attached to anda sack portion, having a void defined by the space between the handleportion and sack portion; inserting said binding member head through thevoid between the handle and the sack of a first bag of the plurality ofgift bags, engaging said handle of the first gift bag of the pluralityof bags with a pair of engaging steps defined on said binding memberpositionally affixing said first gift bag on the elongated body;inserting said binding member head through the void between the handleand the sack of at least a second bag of the plurality of gift bags,engaging said handle of at least a second gift bag of the plurality ofgift bags with a pair of engaging steps defined on said binding memberpositionally affixing at least a second gift bag on the elongated body;wrapping said elongated body around the sack portion of each of theplurality of bags disposed in a stack and engaging the correspondingengagement apparatus disposed on the head and tail portion of thebinding member to demountably fix said binding members head end to thetail portion; wherein said first and at least a second bag is bound tothe binding strip and suspended on pairs of engaging steps orienting thefirst and at least a second gift bag to expose a portion of the bodysurface of each gift bag.
 8. The method of claim 7 further including thestep of inserting said binding member head through the void definedbetween the handle portion and the sack portion of a plurality of giftbags of different sizes.
 9. The method of claim 7 further including thestep of hanging the secured plurality of gift bags for display.
 10. Themethod of claim 7 further including the step of adjusting the size ofthe binding member by changing the groove engaged by the correspondingtongue.